Sheet feeding



H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 19I9.

1 31,41 2,87% Paf/dmedi p 18, 1922.

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SHEET FEEDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1919.

Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

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H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, I919.

lPatnted Apr. 18, 1922.

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H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1919.

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SHEET FEEDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1919.

Patented Apr. 118 1922.

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SHEET FEEDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-10, 1919.

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SHEET FEEDING. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10. 1919.

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H. K. KING.

SHEETVFEEDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1919.

Patented Apr. 118, 1922 9 SHkEIS-SHEET 8.

H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-10,1919.

Patented Apr. 18,- 11922.

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UNHTED stares Parana oaaica.

HOWARD K. KING, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO CHAMBERS BROTHERS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SHEET FEEDING-.1

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 118, 1922.

Application filed March 10, 1919. Serial No. 281,742.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD K. KIXG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sheet Feeding, of which the following is a specificatlon.

My invention relates to improvements in sheet feeding. The object is to provide improved method and means for moving forward at feathered bank of sheets, separating and delivering single sheets therefrom. This form of feeding is known as the continuous feed type.

The invention comprises improvements in the method and means illustrated and described in my Patent No. 1,154,406; Sept. 21, 1915.

By the present invention the sheet calipering control described in said patent is superseded by a much simpler control of the bank feed. By the present invention the bank feed is controlled by the'sheet passing between the drop and feed rollers. An adjustment of the feeding is provided, that is accurate and readily changed. The feed of the bank is extremely gradual at the beginning, increasing toward the end.

The invention comprises method and means in connection with lifting the combing wheels, including an automatically adjusting device adapting to any thicknessof bank so that the amount of elevation from the top of the bank is constant no matter what the thickness of the bank may be. The invention comprises improved method and means for adjusting the pressure exerted by the combing wheels. The invention comprises an improved tail clamp for cooperating with the combing and bank feeding. and improved method and means for operating same. Supporting and actuating mechanism is provided in connection with the tail clamp so that the same will automatically accom modate itself, with constant pressure, to any thickness of bank, without undue movement or the requirement of arbitrary adjustment. The invention comprises improvements in method and means for exerting pressure on the bank'of sheets to the rear of the top sheet, and for directing a current of air beneath said top sheet. The invention also comprises improvements in method and means for delivering upwardly inclined currents of air into the sides of the advanced portions of the sheets.

Referring to the drawings. which illustrate merely by way of example, suitable means for the embodiment of my invention- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sheet feeding machine illustrating my improvements.

Fig :2 is a side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation, the section being on line 3, 3 of Fig. l on enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a detail showing combing wheel actuating elements in locking position.

Fig. 3 is a detail of the combing wheel latching mechanism.

Fig. L is an elevation of parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the clutch actuatin mechanism and associated parts.

ig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the clutch and associated mechanism.

Fig. T is a vertical cross-section, on an enlarged scale, of the air valve shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the tail clamp. Fig. 9 is a section on line 9, 9 of Fig. 8.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are sectional details of the tail clamp in different positions.

Fig. 13 is an elevation of a portion of the clamp actuating means.

Fig. lat is an elevation of the side air nozzle and supporting mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of same.

Fig. 16 is an elevation of part of the supporting mechanism at right angles with that shown in Fig. 14:.

Fig. 17 is a section on line 1T, 17 of Fig. 15, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 18 is a plan view of thedrag weight.

Fig. 19 is an elevation of same.

Fig. 20 is a detail on an enlarged scale of the latching mechanism for controlling the air valve shown in Figs. 5 and T.

Fig. 21 is a similar view with parts in different position.

Fig. 22 is a side elevation on enlarged scale of the clutch mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 23 is a diagram indicating the relative position of the cams and associated mechanism.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A substantial part of the machine shown in my Patent No. 1,154,406 is practically the same as that employed in connection with the invention herein described; for example, the upper and lower tables, the drum, the tapes and pulleys employed in moving the bank from the upper to the lower table, the friction clutch for operating the drum, the combing wheels and their actuation, the drop and feed rollers and their actuation and control are all substantially the same in construction and method of operation, and need only be described again, where necessary to show the relation between them and the modifications and improvements which form the subject-matter of this application.

'These modifications and improvements may be briefly enumerated as follows The improved adjustable control of the combing wheel pressures.

The improved method and means in connection with the lifting and lowering of the combing wheel, automatically adjusting to different thicknesses of the feathered bank of sheets.

The improved actuation and control of the clutch drive for the drum.

The improvements in the adjustment of the drive actuation.

The improvement in the tail clamp, automatically adjusting itself to the varying thickness of the feathered bank, while maintaining a substantially constant pressure, and lifting substantially the same distance from the surface of the bank with which it engages, no matter what may be the variation in said thickness of the bank.

The improvement in the drag weight and the air nozzle operating in connection therewith.

The improvement in the construction, arrangement support and adjustment and in the operation of the side blowing nozzles.

The combing wheel-actuation and control.

The lifting and lowering of the combing wheel is effected by the pneumatic diaphragm head 25, as in my said patent. The head is controlled by the valve 26 in the same way, except that this valve structure is now provided with an additional valve port and control, so as to control simultaneously the air pressure to the clutch drive, and to the tail clamp. The valve piston is controlled in the same way as that describedinmy said patent by the combined action of the trip fingers 27 adapted todrop into grooves 28 in the feed roller 29, after the sheet has passed between the drop and feed rollers. This strip finger 27 is lifted out of said groove when the edge of the next sheet is moved by the action of the combing wheel to a position between the feed roller and fingers 27. This latter movement actuates the latch 30.into register with slot 33 of member 31 to permitsaid pivoted memher and the valve piston 32 to fall into the position shown in Fig. 21. In this position of valve piston 32 as in Fig. 21, the control between air pressure supply is as follows Air pressure is delivered to the. combing wheel head which causes the lifting of the combing wheel from the bank of-sheets; air pressure is exhausted from the friction clutch head so that the movement of the drum feeding the bank of sheets is arrested. j

When the sheet has passed beyond the trip finger 27, this finger is restrained from its full downward movement into the groove 28 by the end of the latch 30 being held in the slot 33 of member 31, as in Fig. 21, until this member 31 is lifted sufficiently to release the endof the latch thereby permitting the trip finger to fall into the groove. \Vhen cam 35 has rotated sufliciently to bring the depression 36 beneath roller 37 of lever 34 acted upon by spring 39, the other end 38 of the lever 34 is raised to cause the elevation of member 31 and valve piston 32, whereupon the end of latch 30 falls into position shown in Figs. 5 and 20 to hold the valve piston in the elevated position. The further movement of cam 35 pushes roller 37 out of the depression 36 and causes the downward movement of the other end 38 of lever 3lto permit the descent of valve piston 32 when the finger 27 is elevated as above described.

When the piston 32 is in the elevated position air pressure is relieved from the comb- I ing wheel head and the wheel is permitted to descend and resume operation upon the bank of sheets, and air pressure is delivered to the friction clutch head 83 whereupon the feeding movement of the drum is resumed to advance the bank of sheets, and air pressure is also delivered to the head 114 controlling the tail clamp 106.

Adjustable pressure control of combing wheel.

The pressure of the combing wheel is controlled by the spring 40, secured at one end to the stationary abutment l1 and at the other end to the threaded block 42 mounted on the threaded rod 43, swivelled in the frame 4-4, which is mounted on shaft 45. The rod 43 is provided with the knurled head 46 which may be turned by hand to move the block 42 toward or away from the line of the shaft 45 on either side thereof, as deslred, to decrease or increase the pressure exerted by the combing wheel upon the bank of sheets.

This affords an extremely convenient and accurate means for adjusting the pressure of the combing Wheel, while the same is operating, and means for readily determining, by tests, the exact requirements of the particular stock being operated upon.

Automatic adjustment in connection with lifting the combing wheels.

The lever 47 is rigidly mounted on shaft 45 and connected at its free end with one end of the connecting rod 48, the other end being connected to the housing 49 carrying the combing wheel 50. This housing is also pivotally supported at 51 on the frame Work of the machine. To shaft 45 is also connected the sector shaped member 52 provided with the arc-shaped formation 53 having its center on the axis of 45. The plate 54 is adapted to rest in the horizontal position against the body 55 and the Stationary abutment 56, and is normallv held in such position by the spring 57. This plate or body 54 is provided with a recess 58 for receiving the arc-shaped formation 53. The fit of the formation. 53 in recess 58 is a close fit but normally permits a free movement of formation 53 in recess 58 when body 54 is in the position shown in Fig. 3. This permits movement of shaft 45, and consequently the free movement of combing wheel to follow the level of the pile of sheets at its point of engagement.

When the diaphragm piston 59 is moved downwardly by the admission of pressure, such as compressed air in space 60 above the piston 59, the piston is depressed together with piston rod 61, the lower end of which engages the left hand end of plate or member 58 and causes its downward movement against the tension of spring 57, the said plate pivoting on the abutment 56. This brings the recess 58 out of center with axis 45 and causes the margins of recess to engage or lock with arc-shaped formation 55. so that the sector member 52 and shaft 45 are rotated with the further movement of plate 58. and the combing wheel 50 is consequently lifted from the pile of sheets. Now the point of this construction is, that while the plate 58 is flat against its abutments, as shown in Fig. 3, the combing wheel is free to move up or down to accommodate itself to the thickness of the pile of sheets engaged, and no matter what the position of the combing wheel, whether elevated on a thick pile of sheets. or very low on a thin pile. any movement, beyond that necessary to cause the locking engagement between plate 58 and arc-shaped formation, as shown in Fig. 3 is suflicient to lift the combing wheel from the pile. and the movement required of piston rod 61 and plate 58 'is the same, whether the combing wheel is operating in a high position or a low position. This automatic adjustment obviates all necessity for, any arbitrary means for vertically adjusting the lifting mechanism to correspond to the different elevations of combing wheel operation. This close and automatic adjustment renders a .very small lifting movement of the combing wheel sufficient, since the distance of movement from the point of engagement of the pile is always the same whether the pile, at this point is thick or thin. I

This automatic adjustment also makes it desirable to have an automatically operating latching mechanism for latching up the wheel at whatever point of elevation it may reach. This is provided by the serrations 62, in correspondingly arc-shaped formation, adapted to be engaged by the detent 63, as shown in Fig. 3".

Placing the bcmk of sheets.

Upon the upper feed board 64, are arranged a plurality of tapes 65 passing around drum 66 over idler 67 and around idler 68. The tapes move in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 2. Upon the board 64, and tapes 65 the operator places a feathered bank of sheets. The bank is brought around the drum 66 between tapes 65 and tapes 69, by rotating the drum 66, in direction of the arrows, by means of the hand crank 70, to bring the bank of sheets onto the lower board 71, and forwardly until the front edge of the bank is a few inches beyond the combing wheels. The operator continues to place feathered sheets upon the upper board until it is full. The bank of sheets uponthis upper board should be feathered fairly uniformly, so that the bank may be of-fairly uniform thickness. The thickness of the bank may be from one-half inch to two and three quarter inches. The variation in thickness should not exceed fifty per cent. The tapes 69 pass around the drum 72 pulleys 73, and idlers 74 and 75, and serve to press the bank of sheets against drum 66 and insure the movement of the bank with the drum. A further set of tapes 76 pass around drum 72 over table or lower feed board 71 and around idler 77, see Fig. 5. The tapes 76 cooperate in the movement of the bank from drum 66 toward the combing wheels.

Actuation and control of the clutch drive for the drum to feed the feathered bank of' sheets to the combing wheel.

Drum 72 is on and rotates with the shaft 78 which drives, through suitable gears, the drum 66 and pulleys 73.

On shaft 78 is keyed the element 80 of a friction clutch. The other element 81 of this clutch is rotatably or loosely mounted on shaft 78 and has a movement thereon to' 80 is caused by spring 88 acting on lever 85, when pressure is relieved from space 89 in pneumatic head 83.

The rotative movement of element 81 is caused by the continuously rotating cam 90 operating through cam roller 93 and connecting rod 92. which rod 92 is connected by a universal joint, as at 92, with element- 81.

T he cam 90 is so timed in the cycle of operation of the machine, that during a portion only of the movement to the right of connecting rod 92, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. the clutch elements 80 and 81 are in operative engagement. and during the balance of said forward movement and during the entire spring actuated return movement of the connecting rod 92, the clutch elements are out of operative engagement, so that by connecting rod 92, the drum 66 is given a step by step rotative movement, controlled by the sheets as herein described.

'is so timed and shaped that it gives As already described, when the frontedge of the sheet passes between the finger 27 and the feed roller, the finger 27 is elevated and the valve piston 32 is permitted to fall, in which position pneumatic pressure is relieved from Space 89 in pneumatic head 83, and the friction elements 80 and 81, are separated. and the rotative movement of drum 66 is arrested. At the same time pressure is delivered to the combing wheel head 25 and the combing wheel is raised from the bank of sheets. hen the sheet passes from beneath the finger 27 and the depression 36 of cam 35 comes into position beneath theroller 37, the valve piston is raised and latched in the raised position by the descent of finger 27 into groove 28 as described, in which position. pressure is exhausted from combing wheel head to permit the descent of the combing wheel and pressure is communicated to the frictionclutch head 83 to cause the operative engagement of the clutch elements, whereupon the feeding movement of the drum upon the bank of sheets, and the combing operation are resumed.- The bank of sheets is feeding forward only during the time the combing wheels are down. The

, moment the combing wheels are lifted the clutch is released and the bank is stopped.

The cam 90 that does the bank feeding of the feeding a feeding motion to the arm 94 during the greatest possible time of the combing action. This cam is shaped so as to give a very slow bank feed during the first part of the combing and a gradually increasing rate of feed as the combing wheels remain down longer. This results in all sheets being advanced by a combination of combing and bank feed. When the combing is short in duration, sav half the normal time, and the steps of separation smaller than normal, the

chine.

the reciprocative movements of the bank feed will be very slight indeed. On the other hand when the combing is of long duration, say twice the normal time, the bank feeding will reach a point on the cam where the bank feeding will be quite rapid. This will occur when the steps are long and the bank too far back. In either case the rate of feed automatically corrects the position of the bank.

Normal combing is a flexible term, it may be a rather long combing or a rather short one. depending on how the operator. through choice or indifference, may adjust his ma- However the normal combing may be considered to mean the average length of combing action obtained from an adjustment that gives satisfactory working condi tions.

llhe feed starts so gradually that the eye can hardly detect the first part of the motion: the speed of the feed gradually increasing up to the end, when the clutch releases. Sudden feeding of a bank, especially with small sheets has a tendency to push and thicken the pile, as the part of the bank next the combing wheels under such con ditions, would not always'get all the feed deliy'ered. With the gradual start secured as herein described, the whole bank responds is to say. the full actuating face of cam' 90 is rarely used in actuating rod 92 to the right. before the valve piston 32 is operated to cause the separation of the friction elements, so that the balance of the forward movement of 92 merely causes the idle movement of friction element 81. The return movement of rod 92 and of; element 81 is always idle. that is, out of contact wit-h element 80. The cam formation 90 asalready stated. is such as to secure an extremely slow initial actuation. That is to say, the start of the movement of drum 66 and the forward feed of the bank of sheets is so gradual as to be hardly perceptible; after which the speed of movement is accelerated until the friction elements are separated. The cam 90 may. if desired. be so shaped that the forward movement of rod 92 and the consequent feed of the bank may be delayed for a short period after the beginning of the combing operation.

The forward actuation of.

Lamaze 51 Adjustment of bank feeding.

'noted that the block 98 has a square end or face as at 102. for engaging the straight surface 103 of'bracket 91' so that practically the entire strain of pressure between roller 93 and rod 92 is taken by the surface 103 of bracket 91.

As will be obvious, the nearer the block.

98 is to pivot or fulcrum 91 the less will be the movement communicated to rod 92' by the cooperation of cam 90 and roller 93 and conversely the farther the block is moved away from fulcrum 91 the greater will be the actuation of rod 92 and the con-. sequent swing of element 81, so that the amount of actuation communicated by cam 90 to drum 66 can be adjusted as desired by the simple turning to the right or the left of knurled head 97. This adjustment may be made or charged while the machine is running.

The first duty of the operator after starting the feeding in action. with the sheetsv placed as described. is to adjust the block 98 up or down as required. until the combing action seemsnormal; with this properly done, the bank feeding is entirely automatic and requires no attention.

Tail clam paml automatically adjustable lifting means.

The tail clamp mechanism is adjustably mounted on the cross bar 103. Its position. of adjustment is secured by the setscrew 101 operated by the hand wheel 105. Its proper position is to the rear and in line. as to its middle longitudinal line, with the left hand combing wheel. The clamping plate 106 is secured to the shaft 107. which is pivotally mounted at 108. To shaft 107 are secured the brackets 109. The rod 111 is supported by the brackets 109. The shaft- 107 is provided with the bracket 110. carrying the areshaped formation 112. The springs 113are-,secured, one end to .rod 111 and the other end to the stationary part of the mechanism. 7 The pneumatic head 11-l is secured inthe "stationary framework 115 by the set-screw 116,1see' Fig. 9. This pneumatic head 111 is provided with the diaphragm 117and the piston rod 118. The space 119 being connected with the source of pneumatic pressure controlled by the piston valve 26 heretofore described. The plate 120 is normally held against the flat surface 121 by the spring 122 as shown in Fig. 10. This plate 120 is recessed at 123 to receive the are-shaped formation 112, with a close but movable fit between said arc-shaped formation and said recesses when the plate 120 lies flat against the surface 121. so that the clamping plate 106 is free to move in response to the tension of springs 113 to adjust itself to any thickness of the bank of feathered sheets. When however, pressure is admitted into space 119 the piston 118 is pushed forward as in Fig. 9, and rocks the plate 120 on its lower corner as a pivoton abutment 121. against the tension of spring 122, out of alinement with axis 108 which is the center of the circle of the arc-shaped formation 112. This causes the margins of the recesses 123 to grip the sides of the arc-shaped formation 112 and become locked therewith as shown in Fig. 11, whereupon a further movement of the plate v120 causes the rocking of clamping plate 106 out of engagement with the pile of sheets. as in Fig. 12. Thus it will be seen that. as in the case of the combing wheel lifting mechanism. when the plate 120 is lying flat against the surface 121 the tail clamp is free to move up and down to accommodate the thickness of the-pile of sheets engaged. and no matter what the position of the tail clamp. whether resting upon a thick pile of sheets, or whether resting upon a very thin pile of sheets. any movement beyond that necessary to cause the locking engagement between plate 120 and the arcshaped formation 112. shown 1n Fig. 11,

is suflicient to lift the tail clamp from the pile. and the, movement required of piston rod 118 and plate 120 is the same whether the tail clamp is operating in a high position or in a low position.

This automatic adjustment is a great advantage in that it eliminates the necessity for any arbitrary vertical adjustment of the clamp for a thick or thin bank; It secures a uniform lift and drop to the clamp and thus gives a uniform action. A short drop reaches the paper earlierthan a longer drop. The latch 124 is provided for engaging the tail clamp 106 through the opening 125 when it is desired to lock the tail clamp out of action.

The drag weight. One or two of these devices may be used.

'here one is used. it is placed to the rear the vertically extending engaging surface, having a vertical sliding movement against bar 103. The friction of the pile moving under the drag weight maintaining said vertical extension in contact with bar 103. This body or structure 126 is provided with a heel 127 at the rear having a polished engaging under-surface, and at the front end is provided the formation 128 having the channel 129 to which is secured the air pipe 130, and another channel 131, at right angles with channel 129 and connecting therewith. To the latter channel 131 is connected the downwardly inclined blower nozzle 132, its lower or discharge end terminating in front of the front end of structure 126, and slightly above the plane of the under-engag ing side of said structure.

The formation 128 is also provided with the post 133 for receiving the removable weights 134 and 135, being of various sizes and interchangeable as required. An espe-- cial advantage of the arrangement is, that the nozzle, being secured to the structure 126, is always in place, which is usually just to the rear of the top sheet, and therefore blows beneath the sheet. On some grades of paper the suction or electricity or both are so great that it is impossible for the drop roller to withdraw the sheet. Under these conditions the device has proved itself indispensable.

Adjustment of bar 103.

The bar 103 which carries the tail clamp structure and also secures the position of the drag weight, is horizontally adjustable toward and away from the combing wheels by means of the racks 146 and 1 17. one on each side of the table, and the cooperating pinions 148 and 149 operated by the hand wheel 15 0.

Side air nozzles.

The nozzle member 136 is provided with a lug 137 pivotally connected to rod 138 which in turn is slidiibly connected in the slotted head 139 of bolt 140, which in turn is Secured in block 141, slidably mounted on the part 1 16 of the frame of the machine. The nut- 142 forms a clamp, controlling both the longitudinal movement of rod 138 in head 139, and also its pivotal movement, due to the rotative movement of head-139 in block 141. The lug 137 is pivotally connected at 143 to rod 138.

It will be obvious that by the means described the nozzles may be moved to any desired position with respect to the side edges of the bank of feathered sheets.

The nozzle part 1 14 is formed with its un der-wall 145 inclined upwardly as shown in Figs. 14 and 17. so that the air currents are directed against the under side edges of the bank of sheets. The slight upward blow thus secured, helps to lift and free the sheets from each other.

In operation- The feathered bank of sheets is placed on the upper table or board 64 and tapes 65, moving over said board in the direction of the drum 66. The bank is carried, in the manner already described, around the drum onto table or board 71 and tapes 76 moving over said board in direction away from drum 66, toward the combing wheels. As the sheets move forwardly on the lower table 71 more sheets are added to the bank on table 6%. The sheets of the bank are so feathered that the uppermost sheet on the lower table 71 has its front edge slightly in advance, in the direction of travel, of the sheet beneath. The bank is moved forwardly on table 71 until the front edge of the bank is a few inches beyond the combing wheels. This required adjustment'of the bank may be secured by rotating the drum 66 by means of the hand crank 70. The machine is now started, the combing wheels operating with a combing action upon the few foremost sheets which are beneath it. The operator should watchthe combing wheels upon the bank to ascertain whether the combing action is normal, and he must if necessary, adjust the pressure of the wheels upon the bank, turning the threaded rod 43 to shift the position of block 42 until he has secured such pressure of the combing wheels, as shall secure a satisfactory combing action. It will be understood that difi'erent pressures are required forsheets having difierent characteristics, such for example, as thin easy combing paper as contrasted with soft or thick hard combing paper. This adjustment may be made and changed during the combing operation until a satisfactory combing action is secured.

Attention may now be directed to the bank feeding. The bank of sheets should be fed forward by the-drum 66 and the cooperating or it may be slightly delayed thereafter.

Atany rate the cam formation is such as to me give an extremely slow beginning-of drum actuation, with the speed of said actuation gradually increasing until the clutch releases. The diagram Fig. 23 shows the relative arrangement and position of the cam 90 and cam 35, rollers 93 and 37 and combing wheel. The extreme combing action and the normal combing action are indicated relatively to the actuating surface of cam 90, showing that the normal combing period is well within the range of possible actuation by the working face of cam 90. This diagram also shows Very clearly the extremely gradual curve, at the beginning, from the middle or zero point toward the point of greatest diameter.

lit will thus be seen that there can be no bank feed except when the combing wheels are down and operating, but there is possible a variation of theamount of feed with each reciprocation of rod 92 to the right, and this is secured by the adjustment of block 98 on threaded rod 96. That is to say, frame 9% is pivoted at 91, and the further block 98 is moved away from said pivot,the longer will be the stroke of rod 92 by the actuation of frame 9t by cam 90, thus the feed of the bank may be greater or less per each stroke of rod 92, depending upon the position of block 98, and this position of adjustment is secured by turning the knurled head 97 of threaded rod 96. This adjustment is also made while the machine is operating. so that, after starting the feeding action, the operator adjusts the block up or down as required until the relative feed of the bank and combing action thereon seem normal. With this properly done the bank feeding is entirely automatic and requires no attention. ll'hilethe feed of the bank continues the clamp 106 is lifted from the bank. When the delivered sheet engages the trip 27, the valve piston is permitted to fall and pressure is delivered to the combing wheel head to lift the wheel, and pressure is relieved from the clutch head to permit a separation of the friction clutch driving roll 66, so that the operation of the roll is suspended and pressure relieved from the head controlling the clamp 106, to permit the clamp to engage thebank of sheets while the delivered sheet is being carried away through the drop and feed rollers. During this operation the drag weight 126 rests upon the bank to the rear of the top sheet now being carried away and air from nozzle 132 is delivered beneath the top sheet to facilitate its removal. Upon the withdrawal of the delivered sheet from beneath the trip 27. the trip is ready to fall as soon as released by the lifting of member 31 freeof the end of the extension 30 of said trip. This is accomplished by the movement of cam 35 to bring the depression 36 beneath the roller 37. when the arm 38 responding to spring 39 causes the elevation of member 31 into the position shown In Fig. 20 when the trip 27 falls into the groove or roller 29 and the extension or latch 30 moves, into position shown in Fig. :20 and thus holds the member 31 and the valve piston 32 in the elevated position causing the resumption of the combing operation and of the bank feed and the lifting of the clamp until the forward edge of the next sheet actuates the trip 27.

What I claim is 1. The method of feeding sheets which consists in bank feeding and combing, controlling the bank feeding and combing by pneumatic pressures, and controlling said pneumatic pressures simultaneously by the advancing edge of the delivered sheet.

2. The method of feeding sheets as claimed in claim 1, in which the bank feeding is always within the combing period.

3. The method of feeding sheets as claimed in claim 2. in which the amount of bank feed is adjusted relatively to the comb.

4c. In the method defined in claim 1, the step which consists in exerting pressure on the, bank of sheets to the rear of the top sheet, controlling said pressure by a counteracting pneumatic pressure, and controlling the pneumatic pressure by the advancing edge of the delivered sheet.

5. In the method defined in claim 4. in which the pressure exerted on the bank of sheets to the rear of the top sheet is constant.

6. In the method defined in claim 1. the step which consists in delivering a current of air beneath the rear portion of the top sheet.

T. In the method defined in claim 1. the step which consists in delivering an upwardly inclined current of airagainst the underside side-edges of the advancing portions of the sheets.

8. In a sheet feeding machine, thecombination of means for the periodical actuation of a bank of sheets, means for combing the advancing bank during said actuation. and pneumatically operated means. controlled solelv by the forward edge of the delivered 4 sheet for controlling said bank actuation. 9. Tn a sheet feeding machine. the combi- -nation of means for the periodical actuation of a bank of sheets. comprising a roll and a rotating cam formed to secure an extremely slow initial actuation with gradually increasing speed through approximately a half rotation of the cam. and a friction clutch operating between cam and roll.

10. In a sheet feeding machine. the combination of combing means, a rocking support for said-combing means, a spring for exerting pressure on said support and means comprising an element connected to the spring and threaded on the support. for adjusting said pressure so that the same shall either counteract or cooperate with gravity as required. during the combing operation. 11. In a sheet feedin machine. the combination of means for the periodical actua- Eat) tion of a bank of sheets, comprising a cam, a cooperating ivoted element. a rod connected therewit and means for adjusting said connection with respect to the pivot. to alter the stroke of reciprocation.

12. In a sheet feeding machine. the combination of means for the periodical actuation of a bank of sheets, means for combing the advancing bank during said actuation. said bank actuating means comprising a pneumatically controlled friction clutch controlled solely by the front edge of the delivered sheet.

13; In a sheet feeding machine. the combination of means for the periodical actuation of a bank of sheets. means for combing the advancing bank during said actuation, said bank actuating means comprising a pneumatically controlled friction clutch, and a pneumatic valve trip for rendering the clutch inefiective. said trip operated solely by the front edge of the delivered sheet.

14. The combination as defined in claim 8, in which a cam is provided for operating the valve at the completion of a cycle after the movement of the deliveredsheet past the valve trip to'permit the latching of the valve in the elevated position and thereby permit the resumption of the bank feed and combing operation.

15. In a. sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for actuating a bank of sheets comprising a roll and roll actuating means including a cam, a pivoted frame cooperating therewith, a connecting rod-connected with the frame, and means for arbitrarily adjusting said connection with respect to the pivot of the frame.

18. The combination as defined in diam 15, in which the adjusting means comprises a threaded bar rotatably secured to the frame, a block threaded on the bar and con.- nected with the rod, and means for manually rotating the bar in either direction.

17. The combination as defined in claim 16, in which the block has a flat surface havsheets, means for arbitrarily adjusting. dur-- ing the operation of the machine, a factor in the amount of bank actuation, comprising a friction element. a reciprocating rod connected therewith, a rocking frame, means for connecting the rod' with the frame, and means for arbitrarily shifting said rod and frame connection relatively to the fulcrum of the frame.

20. In a sheet feeding machine. the combination of means for combing a bank of sheets, means for feeding the bank within the combing periods and means for suspending the combing and bank feeding operations comprising pneumatically operated devices controlled solely by the advancing edge of a delivered sheet.

21. In a sheet feeding machine, the com-. bination of means for combing a bank of sheets, meansvfor feeding the bank within the combing periods, and means for suspending-the combing and bank feeding operations and for clamping the -bank while the forward sheet is being delivered. said combing, bank feeding and clamping means all being pneumatically controlled solely by the frontedge of the delivered sheet.

22. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for feeding a bank of sheets, and pneumatically controlled means for clamping the bank at required periods in the cycle of the machine. comprising a pivoted clamping plate arranged and operating to adapt itself to variations in the thickness of the bank when released from the pneumatic control.

23. The combination as defined in claim 22, in which means are provided for lifting the clamp substantially the same distance whatever may be its position either when clamping a thin bank or a thick bank.

24. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for feeding a bank of sheets, a drag weight for operating on the bank having a vertically extending mem her and stationary means for engaging said vertically extending member to prevent forward or sidewisemovement, but to permit a vertical movement of the drag weight to accommodate itself to varying thickness of the bank.

25. The combination as defined in claim 24, in which means are provided whereby the stationary means may be adjusted to permit a difierent positioning of the drag weight.

:26. The combination as defined in claim 25. in which the stationary means for maintaining the position of the drag weight comprises a bar having pinions cooperating with racks on each side of the machine for the purpose of moving the bar forward or backward as required.

27. The combination as defined in claim 26, in which collars are adjustably secured on said bar flanking the vertical portion of the drag weight to prevent relative lateral movement thereof.

28. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for feeding a bank of sheets. and a tail clamp, for operating upon the bank, comprising a pivoted clamping member, and actuating means therefor comprising an arc-shaped formation and a cooperating element, the adjacent walls of said formation and cooperating element being normally parallel but adapted to be moved out of said parallel relationship to form a gripping relationship.

29. The combination as defined in claim 28, in which a pneumatic piston is provided for moving said formation and element into gripping relationship.

30. The combination as defined in claim 29, in which a pneumatic valve is provided for controlling said pneumatically opera-ted piston and means actuated by the advancing edge of the delivered sheet for controlling the valve.

31. The combination as defined in claim 29, in which a spring opposes the pneumatic pressure.

32. The combination as defined in claim 28, in which a cross-bar supports the clamping member and is provided with pinions cooperating with racks on the stationary frame of the machine for adjusting the position of the clamping member.

33. The combination as defined in claim 32, in which a drag weight is provided and the same cross-bar controls the position of adjustment of said drag weight.

34. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means, pneumatically controlled by the front edge of the delivered sheet for the periodical actuation of a bank of sheets, means for combing the bank during said actuation, the relative operations of combing and bank actuation being such that when the steps of separation between the combed sheets are smaller than normal, the bank actuation will be correspondingly slight.

35. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of cam actuated means, pneumatically controlled by the front edge of the delivered sheet for the periodical actuation of a bank of sheets, means for combing the bank during said actuation, the relative operations of combing and bank actuation being such that when the steps of separation between the combed sheets are longer than normal, the bank feed actuatingmechanism will reach an advanced point on the cam where the feed will be comparatively rapid.

36. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for the periodical actuation of a bank of sheets, means for combing the bank during said actuation, the relative operations of combing and bank actuation being such that when the comb-ing period is abnormal the rate of feed corrects the position of the bank.

37. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for combing a bank of sheets comprising a pivotally supported combing wheel adapted to follow the thickness of the bank, means for lifting the combing wheel from the bank and automatically operating means including an arc-shaped serrated formation and a cooperating detent, for latching the combing wheel at whatever elevation it may be lifted.

38. In a sheet feeding machine, the com bination of means for combing a bank of sheets, supported so'as normally to follow the varying level of the bank, and means for lifting said combing means, comprising cooperating elements, one element normally capable of relative independent movement, one element adapted to be actuated so as to coact with the other, and pneumatically operated means for causing such actuation.

39. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination of means for combing a bank of sheets, supported so as normally to follow the varying level of the bank, and means for lifting said combing means, comprising an arc-shaped formation, a cooperating element adapted, in one position, to permit independent movement therewith of the arcshaped formation, and pneumatically operated means for actuating said element to grip the arc-shaped formation.

HOWARD K. KING. 

